Electric Scooter Buying Guide: 15 Considerations Before Purchasing the Best Electric Scooter in India

Are you thinking of purchasing an electric scooter? Here are the most crucial considerations you should make before investing in one.

Electric Scooter Buying Guide: 15 Considerations Before Purchasing the Best Electric Scooter in India

Looking for a new vehicle for short, local trips? Electric scooters are quickly becoming the preferred choice for such purchasers in India. They are fast, easy to ride, almost silent, and cost approximately one-tenth the price of a petrol scooter these days. The electric scooter sector in India grew 400 percent or more in the previous fiscal year, indicating a positive market attitude.

In the fiscal year 2022, more than 2.5 lakh e-scooter units were sold in India. This suggests that individuals are recognizing the advantages of switching to a battery-powered choice. This is despite the fact that electric scooters are currently significantly more expensive than their gasoline-powered equivalents.

However, for buyers, the decision-making process does not finish here. Choosing to purchase an e-scooter frequently leads to a more complicated question – which one? With increased demand in the country, new EV players have entered the market, offering a wide selection of EVs. Many people will find it difficult to choose between them.

Rather than forcing you to select among the best electric scooter options on the market, allow me to assist you in a different way. Here, I discuss the most crucial factors to consider while purchasing an electric scooter. After going over these principles, you should be able to identify the best EV solutions on the market. At the same time, you will be able to narrow down the e-scooter that best suits your needs.

So, without further ado, here are the essential items to consider while purchasing an electric scooter.

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Range

Let's start with the obvious. One of the most significant barriers to EV adoption in India is the short-range they now provide. While some top-tier electric vehicles promise long-distance range, electric scooters fall far behind. Then there's the disparity between the claimed and actual range of these.

Most e-scooters have a promised or ARAI-certified range of more than 100 kilometers on a single charge. On-road tests, however, reveal a completely different reality, with many of these running out of charge after only 60 to 70 kilometers. Those claiming a real-world range of around 100 km frequently have an ARAI range of more than 150 km. So be cautious about which one you consider.

One of the most popular e-scooters in India right now, the Ola S1 Pro, displays both genuine and approved ranges on its product page. While the ARAI-approved range is 181 kilometers, a real-world ride on it would be limited to 135 kilometers. Autocar India tested it and discovered that the scooter had a little shorter range than this, topping out at 127 kilometers.

Design

Many consumers choose to skimp on this area in order to save a few dollars. However, design is an important aspect of vehicles, especially two-wheelers. The general design and form element of the EV will heavily influence its posture and performance. Furthermore, unlike vehicles, where drivers can make alterations to suit themselves, they will have the rider adjust his/her riding position accordingly.

So, before you spend your money on an inefficiently designed electric scooter, make sure you test drive it and find it acceptable for your needs. You might not want to slouch as far as the vehicle requires. Or, as I have personally experienced, your height may not be suited to the short and curved handlebars, and you may find yourself striking your hands with your knees every time you turn. In short, your "savings" will follow you throughout your EV use.

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Motor type

As previously said, motors utilized in electric vehicles, like batteries, play an important function. The ability to transform that energy into mechanical power as effectively as feasible is a very desirable characteristic for these.

Most electric scooters are powered by various types of BLDC motors, which should be the preferred option for purchasers right now. Brushless motors, as they are also known, can be positioned on the hub of the e-scooter or in the mid-drive. Always choose mid-drive motors because they are safer and perform better.

Battery type

The two basic components of electric vehicles are the battery and the electric motor. Batteries store electric energy and deliver it to the engine to power the e-scooter. This means that the ideal battery should be able to store a big quantity of energy while being as tiny as possible.

Lithium-ion or Li-ion batteries, for example, are the most commonly utilized in electric scooters. They have a high energy density and a low self-discharge rate, allowing them to store more energy for a longer period of time than most other battery types. It is a pricey battery, but for the time being, a Li-ion battery is the finest option for your future electric scooter.

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Charging Periode time

This is likely to test your patience the most during the use of an electric scooter. Unlike petrol scooters, which can be refueled in minutes at a gas station, e-scooters, like any other EV, take several hours to charge. This means that you will either have to be smart about its charging cycles or choose one that saves you the most time.

Most capable electric scooters nowadays can be fully charged in under an hour using a DC power source at a public charging station. A home/office charge can also be used to charge such EVs over the course of a few hours. Take note of this charge time for your preferred e-scooter and ensure it has the charging capacity to replenish promptly.

A rapid charging option that speeds up the charging process might be a major bonus. Many electric scooters now have quick charging speeds that can charge them from zero to a particular percentage of battery backup in a matter of minutes. You'll be able to travel short distances rapidly even if your electric two-wheeler runs out of juice.

Load capacity

Because electric two-wheelers are typically limited in power, this is a significant reason why many people have a negative experience with their electric scooters. With limited power from the electric engine, the scooter can only carry so much, and problems get much worse on inclines. In my own experience, an electric scooter could not go up the grade of an underpass with two passengers on board. I'm sure you don't want to be in that predicament with your new electric scooter. So, before you spend your money, conduct thorough research.

Speed

Whether electric or not, everyone wants their vehicle to be capable of reaching high speeds, even if the everyday commute does not require it. Understand that limited speed is a big issue for practically all electric scooters in India. Many models that advertise top speeds of 80 kmph are barely able to exceed 60 kmph on the speedometer when on the road. Others, too, fall short of their stated speeds.

So, be sure that the e-scooter you choose for yourself is capable of providing you with the speed and pleasure that you may require at times. This should be obvious once you test drives the electric scooter as part of your study.

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Brakes

If you intend to ride your electric scooter at high speeds, it is only natural that you should have good brakes on your two-wheelers as well. On the market nowadays, electric scooters come with a variety of brakes. These are, in general, disc brakes and drum brakes. Understand that the former is the more efficient of the two.

Disc brakes have better stopping force and longer life than drum brakes since they have fewer parts. So, try to choose electric scooters with disc brakes on both wheels.

There are some other factors to consider for improved braking. One in particular connected with EVs is regenerative braking. As you apply the brakes, regenerative braking converts the mechanical power from the moving wheels back into electrical energy. This energy is then returned to the battery, refilling it for a longer run time. Choosing an electric scooter with regenerative braking can thus be advantageous.

Tyres

If an electric scooter's wheels are inadequate, brakes may be ineffective. When purchasing an e-scooter, you must consider more than just the make and condition of the wheels. It should be noted that different wheel sizes serve distinct functions.

Larger wheels, for example, will make it easier to navigate tough terrain. If you're just starting out on two-wheelers, you might want to go with smaller wheels that keep near to the ground and provide a more balanced ride and comfort. The two-turning wheeler's radius is likewise impacted in this manner. So, choose the wheel type intelligently based on your requirements.

Another thing to consider is the warranty on those wheels. Many wheel manufacturers provide warranties on their wheels for a set amount of kilometers or time period. So make sure you take advantage of it.

Lights

In general, two-wheelers lack the level of safety that vehicles and other four-wheelers provide. There are only a few components that provide relief, and lighting plays a significant role. With so many alternatives on the market, not all of them meet the standards you may have in mind for the lighting on your electric scooter. So, try to choose those with plenty of light and bright, clear signs. Look for LED lights on the electric scooter, which is brighter and provide a great view of the road ahead, even in the dark.

Software features

Electric scooters offer a significant advantage over gasoline scooters in that most of their operation is guided by embedded software. This also allows for cutting-edge in-vehicle functions on these EVs. Onboard navigation, ride statistics, remote location tracking, tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), and even the ability to pick up or make calls or listen to music while driving are just a few examples.

What's more, as car technology advances, this list of features continues to grow. Manufacturers can simply release these functionalities to these EVs as over-the-air updates. So make sure you don't overlook these aspects when purchasing your next electric scooter.

Reported incidents

With the heatwave affecting various Indian cities, more and more instances of electric scooters malfunctioning are emerging. We previously reported on how electric scooters used in several parts of the country are catching fire due to defective battery construction. Some are even experiencing major technological malfunctions, which can result in dangerous outcomes for riders.

With this in mind, you should be certain that this does not happen with your next electric scooter. So, when you choose an EV from this category, be sure there are no known reported difficulties with the product, or that any such reported flaws have been addressed and fixed by the firm.

After-sales service

In general, electric scooters require fewer after-sales servicing than gasoline scooters. However, before you spend your money on an electric scooter, you need to get an idea of how much it will cost. When compared to others, certain e-scooter suppliers provide significantly superior service, with a wider service center network around the country. On the other hand, several e-scooter manufacturers have received public criticism for lacking an effective after-sales service. As a result, make certain that the one you purchase comes under the first group.

Price

Finally, the selection will be based on the EV's actual pricing. India is a price-sensitive market, and purchasers would frequently choose the item that is less expensive than its competitors. Because it is critical to obtain the most value for your money, be sure that the electric scooter you purchase for yourself addresses all of these concerns while remaining within your budget. If there are no changes in the performance parameters and features of the two e-scooters, the more expensive one will most likely charge you more simply because of a different design and brand make. You can then choose whether or not to spend them.

Tax benefits

The tax benefits that the Government of India now imposes on electric cars account for a significant amount of the price of electric scooters. This should also allow you to go a little excessive with your spending. It should be noted, however, that the majority of the pricing of these EVs is listed after these tax breaks.

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